Islamic Counselling for Anxiety
Anxiety is an in-built, natural response present in all humans, and while it seems counter-intuitive, anxiety is in fact an extremely useful emotion which functions to keep us alive.
For example, if we are crossing the road and suddenly see a car approaching, a series of automatic processes are taking place in our body, preparing us to deal with the situation and make a quick decision to keep us alive. This is often felt like a transitory feeling of fear, which passes soon after the situation is dealt with.
However, when we begin to ‘over-generalise’ this anxiety to situations which do not necessarily require it, we can experience symptoms of anxiety disorders. A good example to conceptualise this issue is the use of alarms. Many people use alarm systems inside their homes to keep it safe. In the case of an emergency or break-in, the alarm system alerts people inside the house and is often connected to a station which sends the appropriate help. When working properly, this is an extremely useful tool that keeps us safe. Now, let’s imagine that this alarm became faulty and began going off when someone even came close to the house – this would undoubtedly cause confusion, frustration and stress.
How does anxiety link in with faith?
In Islam, we are taught of the importance of ‘tawakkul’ – in brief that is, doing the best we can and leaving what is out of our control to Allah. When dealing with an anxiety disorder however, this can feel difficult and perhaps even impossible. These uncontrollable feelings of panic or worry can then lead to feelings of guilt and shame, for example, some individuals may find it difficult to leave home and may be embarrassed to explain this to family or friends.
Besides affecting individuals’ social lives, these experiences can also interfere with our personal and spiritual lives, making it difficult to concentrate on things like prayer, recitation and reflection. Anxiety, when left untreated, can lead to relationship problems such as marriage break downs and other mental health disorders such as depression.
How are anxiety disorders treated?
There are a number of Islamic therapies and techniques used to treat various types of anxiety disorders. Among the most common is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), which targets unhelpful thought patterns and aims to replace these with more positive and adaptive thoughts, in turn transforming our behaviours and emotions.
While therapies like CBT have a large evidence base supporting their effectiveness, what can be difficult is finding an approach which incorporates spirituality and faith. Just as no two people experience anxiety the same way, treatment should also be tailored to individuals’ unique needs. At Eemaan Therapy Clinic, we work by looking at the individual holistically. That is, we use evidence-based counselling therapies such as CBT while also considering and working within an Islamic framework to ensure your unique needs and expectations are met.
How to book an Islamic Counselling Appointment in London
We offer face to face and online Islamic therapy.
Give us a call on 02034883901, or send us an e-mail at info@eemaantherapyclinic.com to discuss your treatment needs and options with one of our dedicated team members.
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BY: Dr Aisha Ali
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